Reserve Your Torch B-day Tix Now!

by Erica Jackson

One of Upper King’s swankiest bars celebrates its fourth anniversary this Wednesday, April 8, with a lavish, Moulin Rouge-themed bash. The best part? As always, there’s never a cover at Torch. After the huge turn-out they saw at the Fashion Week after-party a few weeks ago, they’ve added another bathroom to expand their capacity. But things are sure to fill up fast, so reservations are recommended. The party features eight DJs (including DJ Moo Moo, DJ Danny Seltzer, Thomas Happel, Sonar, Mateo, and Commander), fire throwing, body painting, hors d’oeuvres from Oak Steakhouse, and lighting effects from the always-impressive PDA. You’ll also see some gals in costumes by Alena Fede, one of the Emerging Designer finalists at CFW. Grey Goose will also sponsor bottle and limo service all night. Sounds like a fabulous way to celebrate a fabulous bar.

Charleston's fashion community shines at CFW 2009

by Erica Jackson

Charleston Fashion Week 2009
March 25-28
$30-$75
Marion Square
www.charlestonfashionweek.com

..."The three finalists — Lindsey Carter, Alena Fede, and Maria Dobrzanska Reeves — all live in Charleston, but come from vastly different geographic backgrounds. Carter is originally from Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Fede is from Russia, and Reeves lived in Poland until she was 14. "The finalists' design aesthetics are completely different," Lucas says. "You're basically going to get three points of view on being a designer."

...The third finalist, Alena Fede, graduated from the Voronezh University of Art and Design in Russia. Fede founded her line Fede Grada in 2007 and moved to the U.S. the next year in hopes of furthering her career. Her feminine designs are romantic and sexual at the same time. While the competition remains based in the Southeast for now, Lucas won't rule out the possibility of going national.

"There has been demand for people nationally to get involved in our contest," she says. "It is Charleston Fashion Week and we do want to keep it Southeast, but if the demand grows, it would be a benefit to our city."

The emerging designer nights will undoubtedly be the week's biggest draw, but Lucas says you can't ignore the many retail stores involved in CFW..."

Charleston Fashion Week Finale

March 29th, 2009 Charleston Fashion Week has come to a close. Makes me a little sad, but the final show was incredible and the gala was amazing! Finalist’s Alena Fede, Lindsey Carter, and Maria Dobrzanska Reeves, all of Charleston, brought unique lines out that had such different looks and feeling. I find it so inspiring that they have taken their dreams and made them in to beautiful, unique clothing. First we saw Fede’s, Fede Grada, then Carter’s Troubadour line, and finally Reeves’ Marysia Charleston. I know it was a tough decision for the judges, but the 2009 Charleston Magazine Charleston Fashion Week Emerging Designer is Maria Dobrzanska Reeves! Congratulations to all the finalists and semi-finalists, they were all thought provoking and moving lines filled with love. Here’s a peak at some of the finalists, and stay tuned for more to come next week from all the shows…

Dreamland Images Blog

Charleston Fashion Week: Emerging Designer Finalists

by Erica Jackson

...It was a short show, but popular because the three Emerging Designer Competition finalists were presenting their lines. The judges of the competition - Mary Norton, Dana Campbell, Bob Siegel, Mychael Knight, Ashley Reid, and Ayoka - sat in the front row.

Russian designer Alena Fede - who now calls the Holy City her home - started off the show with what I like to call her Euro-emo line. Lots of dark colors, scowling models, and romantic, Victorian touches. Lace detailing and giant collars, light denim, and models clutching shreds of cloth. She said she strives to make “big-city-feel fits for a small city lifestyle.” One of the models accidentally kicked off her shoe, then quickly picked it up, took off the other, and continued strutting down the runway. Well done.

Charleston Fashion Week: The Highlights of this year's massive event

by Caroline Millard

The design talents of Alena Fede, Lindsay Carter and Marysia Reeves made for extraordinary competition on the runway.

Fede's collection brought rich fabrics in pale blue, grey, and black with sexy designs and an edge of bondage attitude from the models.

Carter's collection had a sophisticated rocker vibe. She paired black with pops of yellow and purple on one-shoulder dresses, tunic tops, high-waisted skirts and shorts.

Reeves, who was the only designer to show swimwear in her collection, finished the night. Her label, Marysia, put together poppy, colorful pieces with just a bit of an electric edge.

The crowd went wild at the end of the show, and for good reason, as Reeves was announced winner at the Charleston Fashion Week Finale Gala later that night.

And so Fashion Week 2009 ends and the style community can begin to look to even greater things in 2010 when style storms Marion Square once again March 16-20.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Charleston Fashion Week + Ticket Giveaway
Renee said... First, I just want to say that I love the blog. Keep up the great work!
Favorite Regional Designer - Zoica Matei of Atlanta (She's not on the Charleston Fashion Week list of designers but her clothing is simple, classic and just beautiful. If I had to choose a designer on the list I would go with Alena Fede. (I can definitely see myself rockin a few of her designs)...

Dollface Style Scoop
Finalist: Alena Fede , Charleston, SC Alena Fursova, a graduate of the Moscow University of Art and Design, is the designer and founder of Fede Grada...
www.dollfacestylescoop.blogspot.com

Confessions of a Fashionista Wanna Be | Paul Zoeller's Photoblog
Mar 29, 2009 ... Jared Valentino takes a picture during designer Alena Fede's show. They erupted in applause for their favorite designs and some even cheered...
www.journalscene.com/photoblog/fashion

Saturday: Big Finish
3/29/09 9:15 PM
by Michael Andrew Wiernicki and Andrew Maier

When we got there an hour before the first show there was already a line waiting outside the tent. The rain held off just until they started admitting attendees inside, rewarding the early birds for their foresight. Through the downpour the atmosphere was very positive, even those who were caught in the rain were not discouraged and still packed in to standing room only conditions.  After our ten-minute journey, squeezing through a thick crowd of Charleston’s most fabulous, Alena Fede’s entry for the third annual Emerging Designers contest hit the runway. The collection was all about being feminine, romantic and pretty. Classic women’s wear items, adorned with ruffles, rosettes, and no shortage...